Poll: Have the Bones of Jesus Been Found?

Mary,

This discovery is extremely interesting. It’s almost like The DaVinci Code revisted, but with some real evidence.

I was raised Episcopalian and still have faith but perhaps a more adapted faith. As I grow older it bothers me more to see the suffering and evil in the world and that makes me question the concept of a God.

That being said, however, I do believe that Jesus was a holy man for what he preached and taught. He had a concept for humankind that if we all lived by would make for a better world.

This discovery, if true, would in no way lessen the lessons that Jesus taught us all. It would simply question the concept of his divinity and I’m not sure that is all that important in the grand scheme of things.

I agree with John. Whether Jesus was truly divine or just a great man, the lessons he and his followers taught are still valid and important.

John –

The only problem with this line of thinking is that Jesus himself claimed to be divine, the Son of God. He said he would die for his followers, his sheep, and he said he would be raised to life again. These claims are referenced in other verses of the Bible, but here are just two: John 10 and Matthew 16:21.

I can think of no better way to respond than with the unforgettable words of C.S. Lewis from his book, Mere Christianity:

“A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on the level with a man who says he is a poached egg – or he would be the devil of hell. You must take your choice. Either this was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.”

Mary,

Well, I understand your point and I certainly will never debate C.S. Lewis, one of my favorite authors. Mere Christianity is an excellent book. I went to an Episcopal school from grades 1-12 and we studied Lewis extensively.

Are you a fan of the Chronicles of Narnia?

I’m not sure what to make of the discoveries from this tomb. They say they did a DNA test on miocondrial DNA which shows that “Jesus” was not related to “Mariamme” and showed that they were not related. I would like to see a DNA test on the DNA remains of the person labeled as the “son of Jesus.”

What makes this discovery really interesting for me is that when the tomb was discovered in 1980, no one associated the name Mariamme with Mary Magdalene. It was not until the Gospel of Thomas was found later that it was shown that Mary Magdalene’s actual name was Mariamme.

I guess St. Thomas Aquinas addressed this type of situation best when he wrote, “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”

I just read Jennifer Emick’s blog on this. She also points out that one of the ossuraries was missing from the tomb and that perhaps that was the one produced separately several years ago and named the James Ossuary. That ossuary is claimed to be the one of Jesus’ brother.

Full DNA testing needs to be done on all of these to see what the relationships of these people were. If the DNA testing shows a man named Jesus with mother Mary, father Joseph and brother James and then a son Judah, the odds of this being a coincidence are astronomical. It could shatter the basic tenants of Chistianity. I, therefore, suspect that DNA testing of all of the remants in the ossuaries and the one of James will never be done. There are too many interests who would oppose this, especially the Roman Catholic Church whose influence stretches well beyond their own.

Well if you find it easier to believe this to be true then I find it hard to believe you can ever be a follower of Yeshua, the Son of the living God. You cannot have it both ways.

Also are these the same people who found the stone box of James the brother of Jesus to be true?

John –

Those are wise words from St. Thomas Aquinas.

Yes, I have become a fan of the Chronicles of Narnia as an adult. I’m not sure why I didn’t discover them as a child.

I am interested to see the documentary on Sunday, if nothing more than for its archaeological merit. I appreciate the interest that these discoveries bring to Christianity, and the conversations they encourage. I am quite certain that nothing I learn from this film, or even from DNA testing, will shatter my faith. It is firm upon the Rock of my salvation.

The devil is too busy trying to discredit God. There aren’t any bones of Jesus the Christ he has risen and sits at the right hand of his father in heaven. That old satan is out to take as many of us to hell with him because that is HIS final destination. I pray for all of my sisters and brothers in Christ and for those who sincerely believe this nonsense. My question is, why out of all the so called gods, my Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ is always under attack by this world? If you don’t know the answer seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opend, ask and you shall receive. These are the words of the love of my live JESUS THE CHRIST…THERE AREN’T ANY BONES HE HAS RISEN!

Why is it that these recent discoveries, never have findings in other religions? I also find it interesting that these findings in some instances have been found years ago and then all of a sudden they are brought up right before Easter, Christmas or and event when many Christians around the world are getting ready to celebrate.

Greg –

One writer interestingly noted that Hollywood needs Christianity. Without it they can’t create controversy, which in turn creates $ for Hollywood. Think of all the films and TV specials that come out just before Christmas and Easter, and not just the controversial ones. If Hollywood succeeds in its campaign to destroy the foundations of Christianity (which will never happen) then how will they market their products?

The documentary does sound interesting, and yes it is very suspicious that these alleged findings have been “known” for twenty some-odd years. However, Even though the odds of finding all of those named persons entombed coincidentally together are astronomical, it doesn’t neccessarily mean, or prove conclusively, that it is the tomb of Jesus and his family. Jesus had enemies then just as he does today. It could very well have been an elaborate hoax perpetrated by Pilate or the Pharisees to help convince the masses that Christ was a fraud or a fake. It could be even something worse… an elaborate hoax perpetrated in more recent times.

I like that quote from CS Lewis! I think it’s very appropriate when deciphering all of this alleged evidence. I would go further in saying this… If Christ is who he says he is, then it would stand to reason that he does have enemies. These enemies are, and could be, cunning enough to pull off anything to damage him and his work. Much like the war in politics these days, anyone can wag the dog and sway the views and opinions of the masses. Just because it’s on discovery channel it doesn’t mean that’s absolutely factual or conclusive.

if jesus was real wount god take jesus to heaven and not stay in the earth

THIS IS MADNESS. I BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD. IN ANY CASE IF THERE IS AN ARGUMENT, WHO CAN SAY FOR SURE WHAT IS TRUE AND WHAT IS NOT BECAUSE NO ONE IS ALIVE AT PRESENT WHO LIVED IN THAT TIME. THEREFORE THIS IS PURELY FAITH OF EACH INDIVIDUAL. PEOPLE TEND TO USE RELIGION JUST TO “SELL” THINGS.